Chapter 232: Spring Flood

"If I were Hason," Xiao Chiye crouched down and drew a rough map in the sand, "I'd attack Duanzhou."

In Duanzhou, Shen Zechuan had severed Armur's supply lines. Hason's rations could only stretch across the six tribes of the Great Desert. At the start of this year, Armur had allowed Hason to marry Duo Erlan precisely because he needed the Husu Tribe to provide provisions for the frontlines. The Border Sands cavalry had not been able to raid since June last year, and that was the root of Hason's anxiety.

"You'd better think twice," Lu Guangbai crouched down as well and picked up a stone to press it onto Xiao Chiye's "Duanzhou." "If you launch a surprise attack on Duanzhou, Shen Zechuan will summon Tan Taihu, who is waiting in reserve, to engage you in battle within Duanzhou's borders. Then, Shen Zechuan will issue orders to the border counties and the three Sand Camps. Reinforcements from both flanks will trap you in Duanzhou, leaving you with no escape."

"I can retreat," Xiao Chiye circled the stone with his index finger. "I have the fastest cavalry. My goal isn't to reclaim Duanzhou but to plunder its granaries. On my return journey, I can ambush the newly built Lushan Stud Farm. The reinforcements won't be able to catch up."

"You've forgotten about the Commander-in-Chief," Lu Guangbai said. "As soon as you leave the battlefield, she'll sail upstream and come around to Geda'er to kick your ass."

"That suits me just fine," Xiao Chiye pushed the stone to the border county. "If the Commander-in-Chief takes the long way around to Geda'er, I'll gift the territory of Qingshu to Youxiong and let them intercept the Commander-in-Chief's retreat, trapping her in Geda'er for a decisive defeat."

Lu Guangbai covered the stone with the back of his hand. "The Commander-in-Chief wouldn't dare advance alone without backup. She can dispatch the Cang County garrison to the border county. By the time the Youxiong Tribe sends troops to block her path, she'll have the Cang County garrison push back. Besides, the Youxiong Tribe hasn't pledged allegiance to Armur yet. They might not be willing to act as a shield for you."

"They definitely will," Xiao Chiye said. "The Youxiong Tribe refused to submit to Armur before because the Qingshu Tribe was a barrier blocking the Qidong garrison. Now that the Qingshu Tribe has been defeated by the Commander-in-Chief, they won't be able to withstand the next wave of attacks. They'll only surrender to get Armur's reinforcements."

Lu Guangbai hesitated for a moment before putting the stone back in Duanzhou. "Alright, if the Commander-in-Chief doesn't move, I'll guard Lushan in advance."

"I'll sabotage the horse tracks leading from Luoshan to Duanzhou during the ambush," Xiao Chiye said. "Without them, you'll be trapped circling around Luoshan, watching my cavalry depart."

Lu Guangbai pushed the stone and replied, "On your return journey, you'll have to cross the Tea Stone River. I'll lie in wait there."

"Even if you manage to weaken my forces at the Tea Stone River," Xiao Chiye lifted his gaze, "my objective will still have been achieved."

Lu Guangbai rubbed his nose with the tip of his finger and smiled bitterly. "…So ruthless."

The banks of the Tea Stone River were desert and wilderness. Lu Guangbai was skilled in ambushes that relied on topography, but he held no advantage there. The "chariot" formation could defend against cavalry attacks but could not pursue them. Lu Guangbai would never catch up to the cavalry.

If Xiao Chiye's conjecture was correct, then Hason would not only resupply during this ambush but also reinstall barriers for Qi Zhuyin in the south, easing the pressure on him in the north.

Xiao Chiye spread out his fingers and covered the map. "Hason has eyes in Qidu. He can see everything."

As twilight descended, smoke rose from the campfires. Lu Guangbai simply sat on the ground, holding the stone in his palm. Gazing at the camp walls tinged orange by the last rays of sunlight, he told Xiao Chiye, "You won't be able to leave."

Hason's fierce attack on the battlefield bound them both there, unable to divide their attention.

"A fierce attack means he's running low on food," Xiao Chiye stared at the map in his hand. "If he can't hold us back, he'll lose some of his elite troops in Duanzhou."

Hason held back the main forces of the three camps in battle, planning to exhaust them before sending his elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Duanzhou. By then, A'mur would be too occupied to respond effectively, reducing the threat of reinforcements to Hason. That would be his optimal moment.

Lu Guangbai tossed a stone to Xiao Chiye and said, "This is an opportunity we can manipulate."

With Hason's intentions laid bare, the impending ambush was no longer terrifying. Hason could feign weakness, but so could A'mur's Iron Riders. Both sides would suffer from a protracted battle, but Xiao Chiye felt more confident with Shen Zechuan's supply of provisions.

Up until now, only Shen Zechuan posed a genuine threat to A'mur. His supply lines were like a spider's web, fortifying the three eastern territories.

"Let's stretch it till the end of June," Xiao Chiye caught the stone and placed it on the cluttered map. "I'll lead the Second Camp's elites to the border province, while you and Master show signs of fatigue under Hason's relentless attacks. Once his offensive weakens, it will signal the precursor to his assault on Duanzhou. I'll be waiting for him there."

Three months was just right. It was during this season of abundance that Hason would muster his troops for a sudden strike; he wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by.

By the time they finished discussing, night had fallen. Xiao Chiye stood up and whistled towards the sky. In a flash, the falcon flapped its wings and landed on his shoulder. Lu Guangbai brushed off his robe and walked alongside Xiao Chiye into the tent.

Chen Yang waited at the entrance, holding back the curtains. As Xiao Chiye entered, he whispered, "Master, letters from Lord Jia and Gu Jin have arrived."

Xiao Chiye took the letters and read them standing at the entrance.

Lu Guangbai sipped half a bowl of milk tea. After a while, when he didn't hear any movement from Xiao Chiye, he turned around and saw a gloomy expression on his face.

* * *

Several days later, Fu Man was summoned to the Cabinet Office. Before entering, he changed into a dry veil and draped his robe around him before paying respects to Kong Qiu.

Kong Qiu sat by the window and acknowledged Fu Man with a mere "Mm," gesturing for him to rise. Fu Man straightened up awkwardly, standing at the very end and awaiting his turn. His eyes scanned the row of black boots along the edge, allowing him to recognize most of the court officials present.

"…Just as the spring plowing had concluded, Huai Prefecture purchased a batch of grain from Baima Prefecture, with ** Mountain calculating the exchange based on the juesi rice prices," Liang Cuishan finished speaking.

Kong Qiu had gained a few white strands in recent times, hidden beneath his black hat, making them barely noticeable. He said, "With the current war in Qidong, military funds should naturally prioritize that region. The expenses for the Eight Great Camps can be reasonably reduced."

Fu Man thought to himself, here it comes. The Cabinet must first weaken Han Cheng's influence if they want to proceed with auditing the accounts of the Eight Cities.

"The Military Department is suggesting this," said Chen Zhen, the Minister of War, tapping his pipe twice. "But Han Cheng refuses; he demands the Cabinet's approval."

"He wants the power to make the final decision," Cen Yu observed. "The Dancheng case is still unresolved, and the Empress Dowager cannot avoid suspicion by doing so. Since the Cabinet has shown their intention, it means everyone agrees. He's simply refusing to cooperate."

The Empress Dowager was now in a precarious position, no longer holding the power to approve documents as she once did. The Hu family of Di City was on edge, wondering what poison had affected the Crown Prince. Everyone present was well aware of the situation. Kong Qiu had handed the Crown Prince's case over to Fu Man, asking the inner court to investigate, sparing the Empress Dowager some dignity in her final days.

Han Cheng still held the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards, seemingly intent on following Hua Siqian's path, using the Eight Banners to challenge the Cabinet.

Fu Man, adept at playing both sides, had been waiting for this moment. The noble families' boat was no longer safe, and he saw an opportunity to jump onto the cabinet's ship. He had made appearances before Hai Liangyi and had spent the most time serving in the Cabinet's Affairs Bureau. The title "ancestors" of the eunuchs wasn't given lightly; Fu Man truly deserved it. His tight grip on the Crown Prince case served two purposes: to distance himself from any blame and to make Feng Quan the scapegoat.

Emperor Tianchen's favoritism towards Mu Ru had already displeased the cabinet when he promoted Feng Quan beyond his rank. The Board of Censors had impeached him, and after Emperor Tianchen's death at Mu Ru's hands, Feng Quan owed his survival to Xue Xiuzhuo's intervention.

Fu Man dared not provoke Xue Xiuzhuo, but he had realized that the Crown Prince would be the future ruler of Great Zhou. To secure a position by the prince's side, he needed to eliminate Feng Quan, upon whom his decades of prosperity and glory depended.

Both Han Cheng and Kong Qiu didn't impress Fu Man. Comparing them with Pan Rugui, who had managed to gather the Pan faction and match Hua Siqian's influence thanks to Emperor Guangcheng's trust, it was clear that eunuchs were like dogs, treated poorly until they found a master who could elevate them above all others, deserving of respect from everyone.

As Fu Man was pondering, he noticed Kong Qiu's gaze on him. Immediately, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully, a stark contrast to his demeanor before Han Cheng. "Vice Premier, I've made progress in the matter you tasked me with. The seasonal vegetables used by the Crown Prince on that day were supplied by our Imperial Garden Bureau."

"Those are specifically for the palace, aren't they?" asked Kong Qiu. "Who's the chief eunuch in charge?"

"It's a eunuch named Yinzhu," Fu Man continued. "I've thoroughly questioned those who serve in the Crown Prince's palace, and none of them have any connection to the Imperial Garden Bureau. Palace rules are strict, so they rarely cross paths."

"If there's an issue with the Imperial Garden Bureau's vegetables, yet they still made it to the Crown Prince's table, it indicates that the person behind it has considerable influence," observed Kong Qiu, who oversaw the Ministry of Justice and was skilled in deducing such matters. "Moreover, to know the Crown Prince's preferences so well, it couldn't have been accomplished in less than half a year."

Fu Man eagerly agreed, saying, "I did, in fact, uncover a person."

Kong Qiu exchanged a glance with Cen Yu and asked, "Who is it?"

Fu Man appeared hesitant, pausing for a moment before he said, "It was Feng Quan."

Feng Quan had once served as the Chief Eunuch in the Office of Ceremonial, and the Imperial Garden Bureau was under his jurisdiction, with ties to the Kitchen Court as well. Being both a confidant of the crown prince and someone the Empress Dowager had wanted to protect, Feng Quan could hardly be cleared of suspicion compared to the sycophantic Fu Man.

Kong Ling frowned and asked, "Isn't this person dead?"

"Yes," Fu Man whispered, "but he had been by the crown prince's side for half a year, and when he showed up at Mingli Hall looking different, I didn't recognize him."

Kong Ling didn't respond immediately. Just as they fell silent, they heard that Xue Xiuzhuo had arrived. Liang Cai Shan knew how to preserve his life; matters involving the crown prince were not within his realm of involvement. Taking advantage of the situation, he stood up and left just as Xue Xiuzhuo entered.

Xue Xiuzhuo's black hat was slightly damp from the rain. Upon seeing Fu Man waiting by the side, he didn't inquire further but bowed to Kong Ling. Not mentioning Feng Quan, Kong Ling invited Xue Xiuzhuo to sit down and talk.

* * *

As the Tea Stone River thawed, the sudden warmth of spring in Duanzhou vanished, replaced by several days of drizzle. The peach blossoms in the courtyard withered, their petals scattered across the ground in a damp crimson. Shen Zechuan was in the hall discussing matters with his tutors, sitting for hours on end. Fei Sheng added charcoal braziers inside the hall to ward off the chill.

"Yan Heru has been absent for too long, causing chaos in Hezhou's business affairs. The merchants are all in an uproar, worried that the deals they arranged at the start of the year will fall through. They want to meet with the Lord of the Prefecture in Tea State," Yu Xiaozai said, seated below Kong Ling, close to the charcoal brazier. "We'll need to send someone to deal with the local authorities at the port as soon as possible."

Yao Wenyu seemed fine that day. He commented, "Spring plowing has just ended, so the various local offices can spare some personnel. Besides, there's Wang Xian in Tea State who's familiar with taxes and duties. There's no need for the Lord of the Prefecture to meet them personally."

"Business as usual," Shen Zechuan said, holding a hot water bottle in his hand. "Having Wang Xian is more than enough."

Wang Xian used to be the head of the Ministry of Revenue, adept at dealing with other departments. Even Xiao Chiye had encountered setbacks in front of him. Thus, he was the most suitable person to negotiate with the merchants.

"Liuzhou's connections are through the Yan family. Ask if they can locate Yan Heru. If not," Shen Zechuan flipped through some documents, "find someone capable to take charge promptly."

Qi Zhuyin hadn't returned to Qidong yet, and the Yan family needed to deliver the remaining military provisions by April. There was no way to find Yan Heru now, given the chaos in their household. Shen Zechuan was reminding them to settle the grain delivery before splitting up the family.

With most matters discussed for the day, Shen Zechuan noticed that Qiao Tianya had yet to return from the training ground. He said, "Yao JIng mentioned the intricacies of the provincial offices. It's a complex situation, so you should compile a detailed report for me. Follow the style of Divine Might—brief and concise. Master is in my courtyard, so Yuan Zhuo, have your meal with me today."

One by one, the scholars stood up to pay their respects to the Lord and bid farewell.

Ji Gang watched Ding Tao practice martial arts under the eaves. Upon seeing the scholars emerge, he sent Ding Tao to instruct the kitchen to prepare the meal. Ding Tao remembered Fei Sheng's instructions to leave Li Xiong behind to protect the Lord while he himself rushed down the steps to convey the message as swiftly as a bird.

Initially, it was Qiao Tianya who had been pushing for Yao Wenyu's appointment, but recently, Ji Gang had taken over. By the time Qiao Tianya returned, night had already fallen.

Ding Tao and Li Xiong stood guard on either side of the entrance like door gods. With his arms crossed, Ding Tao coldly told Qiao Tianya, "Without the Lord's summons, you cannot enter—"

Qiao Tianya pressed down on Ding Tao's head and lifted the curtain to glance at the main house.

"Master's gone!" Ding Tao exclaimed, freeing himself. "After the meal, Lord will ask Grandfather to wheel Master back."

"You should have mentioned it earlier," Qiao Tianya inquired. "Where's Lord?"

"Lord should be resting by now," Ding Tao replied. "He's in the bath at the moment."

"And you didn't even bother to close the windows in the hall. The night breeze can be biting cold," Qiao Tianya warned Ding Tao. "If Lord catches a chill, Old Ten Fei will scold you all evening."

Ding Tao truly had forgotten about that. "I'll take care of it, I'm just about to close them!"

As he spoke, Ding Tao turned and hurried inside, closing each window one by one. As he backed out, the back of his head hit against something hard. Reacting swiftly, he clutched his head, assuming it was Fei Sheng returning. He turned to speak but immediately shrunk back and fell silent.

Xiao Chiye set down the fierce wolf-hunting knife that had been blocking Ding Tao's way and tilted his head slightly to search for Shen Zechuan. His face was damp with rain and sweat, and he still wore his heavy armor; his boots were caked with dirt.

He must have raced back on horseback straight from the battlefield.